An Anatolian rug is a hand-knotted rug woven in Anatolia, the region that makes up most of modern-day Turkey. Anatolian weaving is one of the oldest continuous rug-making traditions in the world, with surviving examples dating to the 13th-century Seljuk period.
What distinguishes Anatolian rugs from Persian rugs:
- Symmetric (Turkish) knot is the dominant construction mechanically stronger but slightly less refined for fine detail
- All-wool construction is typical (wool warps, wool wefts, wool pile), where Persian city rugs more often use cotton foundations
- Geometric design vocabulary stepped medallions, angular motifs, stylized rather than curvilinear floral patterns
- Strong prayer-rug tradition Anatolian prayer rugs Ghiordes, Kula, Ladik, Mucur, Bergama) are among the most collected in the world
Major Anatolian weaving regions include Ushak (Oushak) in west-central Anatolia, Hereke near Istanbul, Konya in central Anatolia, Bergama in the northwest, Ghiordes (Gördes) in the west, and Kayseri in central Anatolia. Each region has distinct design conventions, color palettes, and historical periods of importance.
Anatolian rugs are commonly subdivided into city/workshop production (Hereke, Kayseri), village production (Bergama, Ladik, Melas), and tribal/nomadic production Yörük and Kurdish weavings from eastern Anatolia).
As a category, Anatolian weaving forms one of the major branches of the broader Oriental rug tradition, alongside Persian, Caucasian, and Central Asian schools.
Where to find authentic Anatolian rugs
Looking for hand-knotted Anatolian or Turkish rugs? Browse our verified rug directory to find dealers specializing in antique Turkish, Oushak, and Hereke pieces.